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Risks of VBAC
By Mayo Clinic staffAs with any birth, problems can occur during VBAC:
- Failed attempt at labor. Labor ends in a repeat C-section for 20 percent to 40 percent of women who attempt VBAC, often because the baby doesn't tolerate labor.
- Uterine infection. If you must have a repeat C-section after labor has begun, you face a slightly higher risk of C-section complications — such as a uterine infection — than if you had a planned repeat C-section.
- Uterine rupture. Rarely, the uterus may tear open along the scar line from a prior C-section. If your uterus ruptures — either before or during labor — an emergency C-section is needed to prevent life-threatening complications, including blood loss, infection and brain damage for the baby. When you deliver your baby in a hospital equipped to handle such emergencies, rarely is your baby at risk. If the rupture occurs late in labor, an emergency operation may be needed to repair the tear and control the bleeding. For less than 1 percent of women who have a uterine rupture, the uterus must be removed (hysterectomy) to stop the bleeding. If your uterus is removed, you'd be unable to get pregnant again.
For some women, pelvic floor problems also are a concern. The weight and pressure of pregnancy can weaken the pelvic floor muscles that support your uterus, and vaginal delivery may stretch the pelvic floor muscles even farther. This can lead to urinary incontinence. However, any urinary incontinence after childbirth often goes away on its own as the pelvic muscles recover.
Risk factors for uterine rupture during VBAC Benefits of VBAC
